The Importance of Healthy Legs (Plus 5 Steps to Improve Yours)

If you’re experiencing pain or numbness in your legs, it’s time to head to the doctor. These issues can signal a variety of other health problems. Most people aren’t aware that their legs are incredibly important parts of their body, having a role in everything from mobility to circulation. Taking care of your legs now can help you live a longer, healthier life.

Why Is Leg Health So Important?

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Legs are obviously important for your mobility. Without functional legs, you wouldn’t be able to walk or stay as mobile and active as you would with them. But, legs are also responsible for many things that go on inside your body.

Your legs play a significant role in your blood circulation. When blood flows properly, it can move through your leg veins, down to your feet, and flow back to the heart again without a hitch. But, if you suffer from leg problems that inhibit blood flow, like varicose veins, that blood will have a tough time getting through your legs and feet, let alone back to your heart.

Keep Your Legs in Top Shape

To keep your blood moving properly, which affects your body’s cells, tissues, and organs, you have to focus on your legs. Here are some important tips to keep your legs active and healthy:

Stay Active

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Remaining inactive for long periods of time can decrease blood circulation and even cause numbness in your feet and toes. People with desk jobs are the most at-risk for developing poor circulation in their legs because they sit for long periods of time with little to no movement.

In addition to regular exercise, you should try to move as much as possible when you aren’t exercising. Stretch your ankles and calves while you sit, make a few laps around the office when you can, and take a long walk on your lunch break.

Maintain an Ideal Weight

If you’re overweight, your extra pounds put extra pressure on your legs whenever you stand or walk. But, even when you’re resting, those additional pounds can be harmful to your legs.

Overweight people are likelier to suffer from varicose veins, which can inhibit your circulation and cause severe pain. And, extra pounds can also cause osteoarthritis from extra pressure on your knees and ankles.

Staying active and maintaining a healthy diet can help you achieve, and maintain, a healthy weight for your body. Talk to your doctor about an ideal weight and body mass index (BMI) that you should shoot for.

Skip the Heels

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Shoes with heels may look adorable, but they are terrible for your feet and legs. Heels harm your posture, putting you in unnatural positions that can damage your muscles and joints. Wearing them for long periods of time can even cause swelling which, in turn, can affect your blood circulation in your feet and legs.

Improve Your Diet

Sticking to a healthy diet is one of the best things you can do for your body, period. But, your legs will also thank you for your good food choices.

If you eat a lot of processed or salt-rich foods, you might notice swelling in your legs. This swelling is known as edema, and it’s caused by your body hanging onto excess water because the foods you eat gobble up the water you drink.

Opt for healthier, fresh foods and be sure to drink plenty of water every day.

Wear Stockings or Compression Socks

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If you know you’ll be sitting for a long period of time and it’s unavoidable, such as traveling by plane, then arm your legs with stockings or compression socks.

Stockings or travel socks can prevent blood clots in your legs from long periods of inactivity. Still, you should try to move as much as possible, even if it’s in your seat. Stretch your legs and change positions frequently to keep your blood moving.

About The Author:

Alla Levin is a sarcastic, positive, life loving, creative person with many different interests. Loving the worlds Innovations, Creatives, and Travels.

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